Search form

You are here

News

RadWatch postdoc Brian Plimley was backpacking in the Grand Canyon in November 2016 near Horn Creek, a stream marked on park maps as "Do Not Drink" as a result of an old uranium mine at the canyon rim above the creek. Brian was able collected samples of water and sediment from Horn Creek to be measured at the LBL Low-Background Facility. The results of those measurements are included in this article along with some discussion of what they tell us.

Our very own Christopher Figueroa accompanied a group of scientists on an expedition to observe and gather samples from the wreck of the USS Independence, a World War II aircraft carrier used as a target in the 1946 atomic bomb test at Bikini Atoll. This report describes the measurements of ocean sponge and their results.

The RadWatch Gamma Sampling Data has been updated to include a wider range of environmental samples from our most recent measurements of fish, seawater, and even pork products, and using a new analysis method to verify and improve on past results. Details describing the procedure for preparing and measuring samples to obtain the data presented are now described in our new Methods Page. All of this data and older results are stored through various links found through the Sampling Data Page.

Adding weather measurements to DoseNet expands our environmental data collection and allows radiation levels to be correlated to weather. Here we provide the steps needed to install an affordable weather station and establish publically accessible hosting of the data obtained by the station.

We had a great visit to Gilroy High School to talk to Mr. Hungerford's class about nuclear science and install our DoseNet device. Lots of fun with Geiger counters and some great questions from students! We are looking forward to future visits.

We had a great first visit to Miramonte High School to install our DoseNet device and talk to Ms. Hauptman about coming back to visit with the STEM club and talk to her class later in the year. We are looking forward to our future visits!

We had a great time visiting Life Academy to install our DoseNet device and talk to Mr. Juang's 7th grade students about radiation in their environment. We're looking forward to future visits and making use of their data in the classroom!

We had a great visit to Alameda High to make them a part of DoseNet. We got the chance to talk to several AP physics classes and the Science club about radiation science and our outreach efforts. Special thanks to Mr. Mathieson for organizing our visit and letting us talk to his classes. We are looking forward to our next visit!

We had a great visit with Mr. Leahey to bring DoseNet to East Bay Innovation Academy. We are looking forward to our next visit to talk to his 7th grade science classes about radiation science and the DoseNet project.

Pages

MISSION

Our mission is to provide transparent, relevant measurements of radioactivity in our environment for public education and our own research. Since March 2011, the UC Berkeley Department of Nuclear Engineering has been performing a large range of radiation measurements using state-of-the-art equipment.

DONATE

Donations allow us to maintain and potentially expand our monitoring efforts in the Bay Area and our public outreach efforts in educating the public about nuclear radiation, nuclear technologies, and associated risks.